JOURNALISM IN THE AMERICAS Blog

Colombia on high alert following two weeks of attacks on the press

In just under two weeks, Colombian journalists have had to face one of their greatest fears: the resurgence of violence as a means to muzzle freedom of expression commonly used during the height of armed groups and drug traffickers.

Attorney General of the Republic Eduardo Montealegre said, "These cases cannot be mere coincidence," and added that there was already evidence pointing to whom was responsible, reported the newspaper El Espectador. "Criminal gangs and the enemies of peace will not destabilize the country with attacks on journalists," the official said, according to the newspaper.

Eight journalists were threatened in the city of Valledupar, Cesar for their coverage of land restitution following years of theft by leftist guerrillas and self-defense forces. After the signing of the Victims and Land Restitution Law in 2011, the government sought to return 2 million hectares of land to 400,000 families displaced by the violence, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Since then several armed groups have opposed the process. The self-titled "Anti-Land Restitution Group" signed leaflets identifying the journalists as "military targets" and giving them 24 hours to leave the city. Peasant leaders and displaced family spokespersons have also been threatened, reported the website Verdad Abierta.

While journalists' conditions in Colombia have improved during recent years as a result of diminishing violence, the country has been historically one of the most dangerous for the press, according to figures from the Committee to Protect Journalists.